Crossing-gate-signal switch



June 18, 1929. EVERETT 1,71 7.442

CROSSING GATE SIGNAL SWITCH Filed July 13, 1923 i HI Mwa

Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES EDWARD A. EVERETT, OF NEW YOERK, N. Y.

CROSSING-GATE-SIGNAL SWITCH.

Application filed July 13,

This invention relates to signals 'for crossing gates and has for an object to provide a signal controlled by the movement of the gate to indicate when the gate is closed or open, also a signal 'or gates of the lrfting type controlled by a pendulum movement and a further object of the invention is to pro-` vide a means for changing the display ot' a visual signal as the gate is opened and closed. These and other objects of the invention will be understood from the following specification and the accompanying drawings in which, Figs. 1 and 2 is a plan view of a pair of crossing gates embodying my invention, Fig. 3is a circuit diagram that may be used in applying my invention, Fig. 4 is one type of lamp signal that may be used with my invention, Fig. 5 a side View with the casing in section of the mechanism used in controlling the signal, Fig. 6 is `front view of the mechanism with the `cover removed and Fig. 7, shows one method of attaching the mechanisin to the gate.

Crossing gates of the lifting type are provided with a red light for the night indication. The practice heretofore has been to attach an oil lamp by a hook or swivel to the outer end of the gate arm. lVhen this arm was horizontal the light indicated on the roadway that the gate was closed and when this arm was raised the light was removed above the plane ot the roadway. The modern demands of trafiic require a more powerful light with a wider spread than can be obtaiued from an oil lamp, such, for example, as the headlight of an automobile, this is the type of signal contemplated in the present invention. It i apparent that when the gate is open a. signal of this character at the outer end ot the gate arm is not only unnecessary but would be undesirable and I therefore provide automatic means for extinguishing the signal when the gate is open and for lighting the signal when the gate is closed. This consists of a pendulum device secured to the gate arm arranged so that when the gate arm is lowered the circuit ol? the light is closed and when the gate arm is raised this circuit is interrupted. The pendulum may be arranged to control circuits for other purposes such as ringing a bell or controlling other lights which indicate when the gate is open.

Referring to the drawings, 11 indicates'the gate arm pivotally supported at 15 on the stand 12. The light signal is indicated by 13 and the controlling mechanism by 14. The

1923. Serial No. 651, 121.

light signal may consist of a parabolic reflector as indicated in Fig. 4, pivotally supported in the bracket 16 which fits a socket (not shown) on the gate arm. A flexible armored Conduit is preferably used between the light and the controlling mechanism and is formed in a loop around 15 where it connects with the battery mains. This provides for the free rotation of the gate arm and affords suitable protection for the electric conductors.

In Fig. 3, 17 represents the battery or source of current having a controlling switch 18 connecting to wire 19. This wire connects to pendulum 21 which makes contact with wire 22 connected with lamp 23 and the return wire 24 to ba ttery 17. It will be noted that this diagram shows two circuits connected in multiple with two lights and two controlling mechanisms, each circuit being intended for the gate arm on each side of the crossing and arranged to operate independently of each other.

The arrangement described contemplates that the pendulum 21 shall make contact with wire 22 when the gate arm is lowered. This pendulum' may be arranged to make contact with wire 27 when the gate arm is raised, this closes the circuit for lamp 29 located close to the stand 12 this lamp therefore indicates when the gate is raised and may be a lamp of comparatively high resistance giving a dull light. lVith this arrangement, it will be noted that as the gate is lowered one lamp is extinguished at the side of the crossing and a lamp in the centre of the crossing is lighted, as the gate is raised these conditions are reversed.

The pendulum mechanism consists of a casing 31, with a cover 32 and an outlet 36 on the lower side for the electrical conductors. Pads 32- are raised 'from the casing 31 to which the insulating di sc 35 is secured by the screws 34. To this disc the plate 37 is secured by the binding post 38 forming the terminal for wire 19. A bracket 39 is secured to 37 and forms a bearing for the trunnion 4:0 upon which the pendulum 21 pivots. This pendulum moves between the stops and 46 and when the gate arm is in the lowered position the contact plate 44 makes contactwith the finger 22 secured to the plate 43 which is held in position by the bi'nding post 42 forming the terminal for conductor 22. A circuit is thus established from terminal 38 to terminal 4:2 through the pendulum and the trunnion 40. In order to insure a reliable contact the end of 40 bears against the spring 41 Secured to the bracket 39.

This mechanism is secured to the gate arm 'by an adjustable connection as indicated in Fig. 7 where the wings 51 extending from the case 31, are provided with slots 52 for the attaching bolts 53, this permits the mechai nisin to be rotated on bolts 53 so that the posir described.

This devce is constructed in' a simple and -rugged form to give reliable Service 'with little attention under the varying conditions to which it is applied. i

Having thus described my invention, I

i claim:

A devce for Operating a signal on a crossing gate of the lifting type, .in combination, a circular casing having a flanged base with slotted openings Whereby it is adjustably secured to the gate arm, a disc of insulation secured to the base of said casing, a plate secured to said disc at one side having a binding post, a hearing bracket- Secured to said plate, a short, conparatively heavy pendulum with a rectangular body Secured by trunnion bearings to said bracket and forming a circuit With said binding post and having a free movement within said circular casing, a stop on said disc for limiting the movementof said pendulum, a second plate having a binding post Secured to said disc and supporting a fiat contact finger in the plane of movement of said pendulum and a contact plate on the flat side of said pendulum pressing against said contact finger by the weight of said pendulum for establishing and maintaining a circuit between said binding posts.

Signed at New York, in the County of New York and State of New York this nnth day of March, A. D. 1923. r

' EDWARD A. EVERET'E 

